Flickr Photos

The European Commission (EC) published a Communication identifying overarching principles and key components of a global partnership to support the post-2015 development agenda, to inform EU positions ahead of the Third Financing for Development (FfD3) Conference and the Post-2015 Summit, and to contribute to the preparation of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Communication, titled ‘Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development After 2015,’ is based on previous Conclusions of the EU Council on a transformative post-2015 agenda. It notes that “the EU and its Member States will continue to develop more detailed common positions during the negotiations, so as to enable the EU to speak with one voice.” It is addressed to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

As overarching principles of a global partnership, the Communication highlights, inter alia: national ownership and leadership; cooperation at all levels and with all stakeholders, building on experience with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on developing a Global Partnership for Development, and with other international partnerships; shared responsibility, mutual accountability and respective capacity; integrating the three dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced manner and making trade-offs between different objectives; and focusing on achieving measurable, concrete and sustainable results.

It calls for the partnership to be based on human rights, good governance, rule of law, support for democratic institutions, inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and gender equality. Emphasizing the need for transparency and information-sharing for all stakeholders, it calls for promoting more effective and inclusive forms of multi-stakeholder partnerships, operating at all levels and involving the private sector and civil society, including social partners, academia, foundations, knowledge institutions and public authorities.

The Communication identifies means of implementation as a key element of the global partnership, and discusses its various components, including: an enabling and conducive policy environment at all levels; capacity development; mobilization and effective use of domestic and international public finance; stimulating trade to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development; using science, technology and innovation as important drivers of implementation; mobilizing the domestic and international private sector; and harnessing the positive effect of migration. It also stresses the need for a strong framework for monitoring, accountability and review at all levels.

The Communication conveys strong EU support for the UN Secretary-General’s call for all developed countries to meet the UN target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) for official development assistance (ODA), and expresses its agreement on concrete timetables to meet these commitments. It remarks that high-income countries should respect the UN target of 0.15% of GNI for development assistance to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and that upper-middle income countries and emerging economies should commit to increasing their contribution to LDCs, and set targets and timelines accordingly.

The Communication highlights the need to provide a stable enabling environment for the private sector, “including establishing a level playing field for competition” and encouraging sustainable investments. It also mentions the primary responsibility of each country to maximize the potential of trade for inclusive growth and sustainable development through good governance, sound domestic policies and reforms, so as to create a stable regulatory environment that is favorable to the private sector and investment.

The annex of the Communication lists a series of possible actions that could contribute to the effective implementation of the post-2015 agenda, and proposed actions to be carried out specifically by the EU.